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5-3
5
EBU19542FuelMake sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-16.)EBU19561Engine oilMake sure that the engine oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-22.)EBU19591Final gear oilMake sure that the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-26.)EBU19601Differential gear oilMake sure that the differential gear oil is at the
specified level. Add oil as necessary. (See page
8-29.)EBU19632CoolantMake sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-31.)
TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture. EBU29083Front and rear brakesBrake levers and brake pedal
Check that there is no free play in the front and
rear brake levers. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
Check for correct free play in the brake pedal. If
the free play is incorrect, adjust it. (See page
8-50.)
Check the operation of the brake levers and
pedal. They should move smoothly and there
should be a firm feeling when the brakes are ap-
plied. If not, have a Yamaha dealer check the
brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-47.)
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5-4
5Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If a lever moves
slowly inward, there may be a leak in the brake
system. If there is any leakage, the brake system
should be checked by a Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance,
check the brake pads for wear. (See page 8-46.)
EBU19762Throttle leverCheck the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.
EBU19815TiresCheck tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage.
Tire pressure
Use the low-pressure tire gauge to check and ad-
just tire pressures when the tires are cold. Tire
pressures must be equal on both sides.
WARNING! Operation of this vehicle with im- proper tire pressure may cause severe injury or
death from loss of control or rollover. Tire
pressure below the minimum specified could
also cause the tire to dislodge from the rim un-
der severe riding conditions.
[EWB02542]
Set tire
pressures to the following specifications:
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4
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5-5
5
The low-pressure tire gauge is included as stan-
dard equipment. Make two measurements of the
tire pressure and use the second reading. Dust or
dirt in the gauge could cause the first reading to be
incorrect. Tire wear limit
When the tire groove decreases to 3 mm (0.12 in)
due to wear, replace the tire.
Recommended tire pressure:
Front35.0 kPa (0.350 kgf/cm², 5.0 psi)
Rear 30.0 kPa (0.300 kgf/cm², 4.4 psi)
Minimum tire pressure: Front32.0 kPa (0.320 kgf/cm², 4.6 psi)
Rear 27.0 kPa (0.270 kgf/cm², 4.0 psi)
Maximum tire seating pressure: Front250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear 250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
1. Low-pressure tire gauge
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5-6
5Tire information
This ATV is equipped with tubeless tires with
valves.
WARNING
EWB02552Use of improper tires on this ATV may cause
loss of control, increasing your risk of an acci-
dent. After extensive tests, only the tires listed below
have been approved for this model by Yamaha
Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America.1. Tire wear limit
Front:Manufacturer/model:YFM550DF CHENG SHIN/C828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM550DF MAXXIS/MU19
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM550PF CHENG SHIN/C828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM550PF MAXXIS/MU19
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM550PHF MAXXIS/MU19
Size: AT25 x 8-12
Ty p e : Tu b e l e s s
Rear: Manufacturer/model:YFM550DF CHENG SHIN/C828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM550DF MAXXIS/MU20
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM550PF CHENG SHIN/C828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM550PF MAXXIS/MU20
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM550PHF MAXXIS/MU20
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5-7
5
Aftermarket tires and rims
The tires and rims that came with your ATV were
designed to match the performance capabilities
and to provide the best combination of handling,
braking, and comfort. Other tires, rims, sizes, and
combinations may not be appropriate.
EBU19841Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are
properly tightened.EBU19851Instruments, lights and switchesCheck that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary. Size:
AT25 x 10-12
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6-1
6
EBU19882
OPERATION
EBU19902Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV. If there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB00632Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury. EBU30561Starting the engineNOTICEECB00151See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-4
prior to operating the engine for the first time. 1. Turn the key to “ ” (on) and the engine stopswitch to “ ”.
The following warning lights should come on
for a few seconds, then go off.
Coolant temperature warning light
Engine trouble warning light
The EPS warning light should come on, then
go off when the engine is started. (for EPS
model)
NOTICEECB00825If a warning light does not go off, see page 4-2
for the corresponding warning light circuit
check. To avoid possible damage, do not oper-
ate the ATV if a warning light stays on. 2. Apply the brake pedal, and then shift the drive select lever into the neutral or park position.
The corresponding indicator light should
come on. If the indicator light does not come
on, have a Yamaha dealer check the electrical
circuit.TIPThis model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. The engine can be started under the
following conditions:
The drive select lever is in the neutral or park po-
sition.
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6
The rear brake lever or brake pedal is applied
with the drive select lever in any position. How-
ever, it is recommended to shift into the neutral
or park position before starting the engine.
3. Apply the rear brake lever or brake pedal.
4. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.TIPIf the engine fails to start, release the start switch,
then push it again. Pause a few seconds before
the next attempt. Each cranking should be as
short as possible to preserve battery energy. Do
not crank the engine more than 10 seconds on
each attempt. NOTICEECB00164For maximum engine life, never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!
EBU20442Operating the drive select lever and
driving in reverseNOTICEECB00171Before shifting, stop the ATV, otherwise the
transmission may be damaged. Shifting: Neutral to High-range and High-range
to Low-range1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Apply the brake pedal, and then shift by mov- ing the drive select lever along the shift guide.TIPMake sure that the drive select lever is completely
shifted into position.
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6-3
63. Release the brake pedal, and then open thethrottle lever gradually.
Shifting: Neutral to Reverse and Reverse to
Park
WARNING
EWB00721Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or even a person behind you,
resulting in serious injury. When you shift into reverse, make sure there are no people or ob-
stacles behind you. When it is safe to proceed,
go slowly.
1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Apply the brake pedal. The drive select lever
cannot be shifted into or from reverse or park
without applying the brake pedal.
3. Shift from neutral to reverse or from reverse to park and vice versa by moving the drive se-
lect lever along the shift guide.
1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
6. P (Park)
L 2H 3N4R5P6
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